Malmö University, the City of Malmö, Lund University and Student Union Malmö have signed a new collaboration agreement to continue their work on making Malmö a city for students. The agreement covers the period 2026–2028 and aims to make Malmö even more attractive as a place to live and study.

“The agreement gives us the opportunity to strengthen our collaboration, collect ideas, experiences, and energy to work together to make Malmö an even better and more attractive city for students,” says Vice-Chancellor Mia Rönnmar.

A joint platform for student-related issues

The initiative has grown over several years of collaboration between the City of Malmö, the universities and the student unions.

“We have been working closely with the city and the unions for a long time to make Malmö even better for students. The collaboration is about creating a common platform for developing and ensuring good housing, infrastructure and the health of students, as well as strengthening the links between students, employers and businesses,” says Annika Pfannenstill, head of the Student Service Centre.

More parties in the new agreement

An important feature of the new agreement is a widening of the stakeholders involved.

“The biggest difference is that Lund University’s Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts in Malmö and Student Union Malmö are now part of the collaboration. This is very exciting and will only help us make Malmö an attractive place to live and study,” says Annika Pfannenstill.

The new agreement comes with one new area of focus.

“We are continuing to work on the areas we previously identified, but now also with the health of students as an additional priority,” she says.

Clear structure for collaboration

The agreement has been drawn up between the City of Malmö, Lund University, Student Union Malmö, the Student Union of the Faculty of Odontology in Malmö and the Student Union at the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts in Malmö and is valid from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.

“The work is led by a steering group that is responsible for the strategic direction and follow-up. Day-to-day operations are carried out by a working group that includes representatives from the City of Malmö, the universities and the student unions,” says Annika Pfannenstill.

A central part of the collaboration is the role of development coordinator.

“We have had a development coordinator since 2018, a person who coordinates the practical work. The Student Service Centre at Malmö University and the Business and External Relations Office at the City of Malmö have served as the organisational home for the role, and in the new agreement there is also a corresponding organisational home at Lund University. This is one of the collaboration’s great strengths.”

Significance for students

For students, the agreement means a continued focus on issues relating to both everyday life and their futures.

“We maintain a close dialogue with the student unions, and we have clearly defined focus areas for our work. We want safe and affordable housing, positive well-being and an inclusive environment for our students, as well as to help bridge the gap between their studies and the world of work,” says Annika Pfannenstill.

Text: Communications Department